Can-cap-soldering machine.



No. 779,526. PATENTED JAN. l0, 1905.

- A. CERRUTI.

AN GAP SOLDERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1s, 1904.

.vf/////// L PATBNTED JAN. l0, 1905.

A. GBRRUTI.

CAN CAP SOLDERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY'lB, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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A'. VMM? No. 779,526. PATENTED JAN. l0, 1905. A. GERRUTI.

GAN CAP SOLDERING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION'FILED MAY 18, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.'

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UNITED STATES Patented January 10, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters 152.1761113 NO. 779,526, datedJanuary 10, 1905. Application filed May 18, 1904. Serial No. 208,519.

T0 all whom 7115 may concern:

Beit known that I, ANTONIO CEERUTI, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Cap-SolderingMachines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the same.

My invention relates to the class of machines for soldering the caps ofcans.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine for this purpose of acontinuous-rotatin g type adapted to present the cans in endless singlesuccession to the soldering appliances and to continuously dischargethem after the caps have been soldered, whereby the capacity of themachine is increased.

My invention consists in the novel constructions, arrangements, andcombinations of parts, which I shall hereinafter fully describe.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectionalelevation, partly broken, of my Inachinc. Fig. 2 is a partlybroken andsectional top view of the machine on the line ma? of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is apartlybroken top plan of the machine, the feeding and deliveringmechanism and the solder-feeding device being omitted. Fig. 4 is asectional detail, enlarged, showing the can-lifting means, thesoldering-irons, and the follower-rod, the can in this view being shownin its lowest position. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but inelevation, partly broken, the can being shown in its highest position.Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5, showing the can in its intermediateposition.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the numeral l represents a fixed bed mounted onlegs 2. Upon vthis bed 1 is an annular cam-track 3, which is made inthree levels or elevations, the lowest of which is represented by 4:,the highest by 5, and the intermediate by 6. These elevations merge intoone another by suitable inclines, as seen in Fig. 1.

7 is a vertical non-rotating shaft or axis which passes up through thecentral hub 8 of the bed 1 and has journaled upon it above said bed thecan-table 9 the hub l() of which is preferably mounted upon the hub 8 ofthe bed by means of antifriction-bearings, such as are represented bythe balls l1. In the outer edge of the can-table 9 is an annular seriesof can-rests 12, which are guided in their vertical movement in suitablesocket-bearings 13 in the can-table and have stems 14, the lower ends ofwhich are provided -with rollers 15, which travel upon the cam-track 3.The stems 14 of the can-rests 12 are best made adjustable as to length,which may be done in any suitable manner-as, for example, by the meansshown in Figs. l and 4, wherein the stem is made up of telescopicsections-the object being to initially adjust the can-rests as to heightso as to suit different heights of cans. By the rollers 15 travelingupon the cam-track 3 the can-rests are elevated and are allowed to dropaccording to the position of the rollers on the cam-track. For example,when the roller 15 is on the lowest level 4L of the cam-track thecan-rest 12 will be down to its lowest limit, which is iush with the topof the table, as is shown in Fig. 4. When the roller is upon the highestlevel 5 of the track, the can-rest will be at its highest limit, as isshown in Figs. 1 and 5, and when the roller is on the intermediate level6 the can-rest will be at its intermediate height, as is shown in Fig.6. A rotary motion about the shaft or axis 7 is imparted ,to thecan-table 9 by any suitable power-transmitting mechanism. For presentillustration I have shown this mechanism as consisting of a mainpower-shaft 16, Fig. 1, having the usual fast and loose pulleys 17. Thisshaft carries on its inner end a Worm-pinion 18, which meshes with awormgear 19, (indicated in Fig. 2,) which said gear is upon acounter-shaft 20, the upper end of which carries a pinion 21, Figs. 1and 2, which meshes with a gear 22 on the base of the hub 10 of thecan-table 9. It is by this rotary motion of the can-table 9 that thecans are carried around and are raised and lowered.

In order to accurately receive and define the position of the cans 23upon the can-rests'12, 9

there are secured to the can -table 9 the V- shaped holding-stops 24,Fig. 2, which are best secured to the table adjustably, as is shown, bythe securing-bolt 25 passing through an elongated slot 26 in the foot ofthe stop. By this IOO adjustable connection the holder-stop may be setaccurately to position to receive the can and hold it properly upon thecan-rest 12.

27 represents the soldering-irons. There is an annular series of thesein vertical alineinent with the series of can-rests below. Each iron iscarried on the lower end of stem 28, (see Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6,) theupper end of the stem passing through a socket-guide 29 on the peripheryof a spider 30, the hub 31 of which is journaled on the central axis orshaft 7 and is connected by a coupling-hub 32 with the hub of thecan-table 9, whereby said spider rotates in unison with the can-table.To the upper end of the soldering-iron stem 28, above the spidersocket29, is fixed a pinion 33, which pinion engages with a stationary gear34, firmly secured, as is seen in Fig. 1, to the central axis or shaft7, so that said gear does not rotate, but the series of pinions 33revolve around said gear, and thereby turn the'soldering-irons 27, eachon its own axis, and said irons, in addition to the rotation on theirown axes, revolve around the central axis or shaft 7 with the can-table.A heat-hood 35 is fitted over each soldering-iron, said hood beingprovided with air-vents, as shown in Fig. 1, and secured to a spider 36,the central hub of which is formed into a gas-distributing chamber 37secured rigidly to the hub-coupling 32, whereby said spider and itsconnected parts rotate with the can-table about the central axis orshaft 7.

38 is a gas-inlet pipe from which branches 39 extend radially anddownwardly past the periphery of gear 34, through sockets 4() in thespider 30, and then inwardly again and downwardly into thegas-distributing chamber 37. From this chamber radiate the gas-deliverypipes 41 in annular series, each being controlled by a cock 42 andadapted to deliver the gas to an opening 43 in theheat-hood 35 of thesoldering-iron. The gas-pipe 38 is supported in the top of the fixedshaft7 by a rotary step at 44, Fig. 1, which permits the gas branches 39to revolve about the central shaft 7.

In order to hold the cap 23 (see Fig. 5) of the can in place while beingacted upon by the soldering-iron and to keep a pressure upon it for ashort time while the solder is cooling, Fig. 6, there is a gravityfollower-rod 45. This rod passes freely down through the stem y 28 andthe soldering-iron 27 and projects below the latter. To the projectingupper end of this follower-rod is secured a weight 46, the base of whichcoming in contact with the upper hub of the pinion 33 serves to limitthe downward movement of the follower-rod. In order to prevent thefollower-rod from being accidentally fastened by solder to the can-cap,itis best to give it a movement on its own axis. This is effected bymeans of the forked clip 47, Figs. 1, 4, and 5, attached to the weight46 and playing freely over a stud 48, secured to the pinion-hub. Thisconnection, while not interfering with the up-and-down movement of theweight and follower-rod, imparts the rotary movement of the pinion tosaid weight and rod.

In order to supply the solder to the irons, I have the feed mechanismshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

49 represents rotativelymountedspools vupon which the solder-strips 50are wound and from which they are paid out. The solderstrips5,0,suitably guided, are directed between grooved feeder-rolls 51 andpass through tubular guides 52, the ends of the several stripsprojecting into the path of the lower ends of the soldering-irons,whereby said irons are supplied with the solder. In order to feed thesolder-strips 50 to the irons as fast as needed, I have on the end ofthe lower feed-roll aratchet 53, with which an actuating-pawl 54engages, saidpawl being operated by means of a rod 5 5, (see Fig. 1,)adjustably connected at 56 with a pivoted weighted lever 57, the innerend of which has a roller-bearing 58 traveling against an undulating andserpentine camtrack 59, formed on the periphery of the cantable 9. Thistrack is constructed to vibrate the lever 57 and through the rod 55 tocause the pawl 54 to aetuate the ratchet 53' and through the feed-rolls51 to feed the solderstrips 50 up to the irons. In order to make thisfeed of the solder-strips dependent upon the approach of a can and torender it inactive between times, Ihave a pivoted lever 60, the lowerend of which projects into the path of the cans and is adapted to berocked by said cans as they pass. The upper end of this lever 60 has acontact-stud 61, which is adapted to come in contact with a tailpiece 62of the pawl 54. A spring 63, attached to the lever 60, is so arranged asto cause the stud 61 to remain in normal contact with the tailpiece 62,whereby the normal position of the pawl 54 is out of engagement with theratchet 53, whereby it follows that although the movement of the pawl,due to the cam-track 59, is constant, yet being normally outA ofengagement with the ratchet the feed of the solder-strips isintermittent; but when the can comes in contact with the pivoted lever60 it causes the stud 61 to withdraw from the tailpiece 62 of the pawl54, whereupon said pawl falls to its engagement with the ratchet 53 andcauses the feed of the solder-strips 50 to the irons 27.

In order to feed the cans to the can-rests, there is a platform 65, Fig.2, upon which are guide-rails 66,between which the cans 23 travel andare directed successively and at proper time to the can-rests 12, afixed outer guide 66', Fig. 2, serving to insure their position againstthe holder-stop 24. The travel of the cans is effected by means ofpusher-arms 67, carried by an endless chain 68,mounted upon terminalsprockets 69, one of which is driven by suitable meansas, for example,by the drivechain 70, (shown in dotted line in Fig. 2,)said chain beingdriven from a sprocket 71, Fig. 1, on the shaft 20. The cans aredelivered from IOO IIO

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the can-rests by means of deilecting-gui'des 72,

Fig. 2, which direct them to and upon a discharge-conveyer 73.

A better understanding of the machine will be had from the followingdescription of its entire operation: The cans 23, having been previouslyprovided with the caps 23', (seen in Fig. 2, and particularly in Fig.5,)are placed successively upon the platform 65 and by the lpusher-arms67 are advanced in single con- Fig. 4, the follower-rod 45 is down toits lowest limit, but out of contact with the can. Now as the can-table9 and its connectedspiders 36 and 30, which carry the irons, theirheat-hoods, and the gas-supply channels, are

continuously rotating in unison about the central axis it will be seenthat immediately after la can reaches its position upon a can-rest 12the stem-roller 15 of said can will pass upon the highest level 5 of thecam-tracl ,as is shown on the right of Fig. 1 and as is shown clearly inFig. 5. Thisrise will cause the can-rest to lift the can up to the iron,as is shown in Fig. 5, the gravity follower-rod 45 being lifted to itshighest limit by the contact of the cap 23 with the lower end of therod. Now while the parts are maintained in the position shown in Fig. 5and are revolving around the central axis or shaft 7 the soldering-ironis revolving on its own axis, due to the engagement of its stem-pinion33 with the fixed gear 34 above. At this same time the can, having comein contact with the solder-feed-regulating lever 60, causes, through thepawl-and-ratehet mechanism heretofore described, the feed oi' thesolder-strips to position against the iron, whereby solder is suppliedto said iron and being melted iiows down to its place to solder the capto the head of the can. Also it will be seen that through the gasconnections the irons will be kept hot. The position oi' the parts shownin Fig. 5 continues long enough to insure the soldering of the cap, andthen the stem-roller 15 ot' the can-rest reaching the intermediate level6 of the cam-track 3 allows the can-rest, with its can, to drop down toan intermediate position away from the soldering-iron, as is shown inFig. 6. This drop, however, is within the limit of the drop of thefollower-rod 45, so that said rod still remains, as shown in Fig. 6, incontact with the cancap, and as said rod is rotating on its own axis itis not liable to be accidentally fastened to the cap by solder. Whilethe parts remain in this intermediate position the follower-rod holdsthe cap well down to its seat until the solder cools. By this time thecan is approacl ing the deil ecting-guides 72 and having entered betweenthem, as shown in Fig. 2, is shortly dropped still lower to the lowestlevel 4 of the cam-track 3, away from the follower-rod, as is shown inFig. 4, and being now entirely free is directed by the rails 72 to thedischargeconveyer 73. This operation is repeated with successive cansindeiinitely.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a can-cap-soldering machine, the combination of a can-table, anoverlying annular series of soldering-irons, a vertically-movablefollower-rod centrally disposed in each iron, to press upon the can-cap,means for rotating the can-table, and the series of soldering-irons withtheir follower-rods in unison, means for rotating said irons on theirown axes, means for positively rotating said rods on their ownaxes,'means for elevating the cans from the table successively intooperative contact, each with its overlying iron and follower-rod` andmeans for withdrawing said cans successively from said irons and rods.

2. In a can-cap-soldering machine, the combination of a can-table, anoverlying annular series of soldering-irons, means for heating saidirons, a vertically-movable follower-rod centrallydisposed in each ironto press upon the can-cap, means for rotating thc can-table, the seriesot' soldering-irons with their followerrods and the heating means inunison, means for rotating said irons on their own axes, means forpositively rotating said rods on their own axes, means for elevating thecans from the table successively into operative Contact, each with itsoverlying iron and follower-rod, and means for withdrawing said canssuccessively from said irons and rods.

3. In a can-cap-soldering machine, the combination of a can-table havingan annular series of vertically-movable rests to receive and carry thecans, an annular series of axially-rotatable soldering-irons in verticalalinement above said can-rests, means Jfor rotating` the can-table andthe series of soldering-irons in unison about a common axis, and a iixedcamtrack engaging the can-rests, said track having different levelsadapted to elevate said rests to lift the cans into opera tive contactwith the irons, and to permit them to drop therefrom, to withdraw thecans 'from the irons.

4. In a ean-cap-soldering machine, the combination of a can-table havingan annular series of vertically-movable rests to receive and carry thecans, an annular series of solderingirons in vertical alinement abovesaid canrests, a vertically-movable follower-rod centrally disposed ineach iron'to press upon the can-cap, means for rotating the can-tableand the series of soldering-irons with their follower-rods in unisonabout a common axis,

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dell:

and a iixed cam-track engaging the can-rests, said track having a leveladapted to elevate said rests to lift the cans into operative contactwith the irons and rods, a second level to drop the rests to lower thecans from the irons, while maintaining contact with the rods, and athird level to drop the rests to withdraw the cans from said rods.

5. In a can-cap-soldering machine, the com bination of a lixed bedhaving an annular camtrack upon it, a can-table having an annular seriesof can-rests with vertically-niovable stems having rollers bearing onthe cam-track whereby the rests are elevated and lowered, an annularseries ot' solderingarms alined above the can-rests, means for heating'the irons, a connection between the can-table, thel irons and heatingmeans and means for rotating them in unison about a common axis.

6. In a can-cap-soldering machine, the combination of a iixed bed havingan annular camtrack upon it, a can-table having an annular series ofcanrests with vertically -movable stems having rollers bearing on thecam-track whereby the rests are elevated and lowered, an annular seriesof soldering-irons alined above the can-rests, means for heating theirons, a connection between the can-table, the irons and heating means,means for rotating them in unison about a common axis, a nonrotatinggear in the axis of rotation of said series of irons, and pinionscarried by the irons and engaging said gear whereby the irons arerotated on their own axis.

' 7. In a can-capsoldering machine, the combination of a lixed bedhaving an annular camtrack upon it, a can-table having an annular seriesof can-rests with vertically-movable stems having rollers bearing on thecam-track whereby the rests are elevated and lowered, an annular seriesof soldering-iroiis alined above the can-rests, means for heating theirons, a connection between the can-table, the irons and heating' means,means 'for rotating them in unison about a common axis, a nonrotatinggear in the axis of rotation of said l series ofirons, and pinionscarried by the irons and engaging said gear whereby the irons arerotated on their own axis, a vertically-movable follower-rod centrallydisposed in each iron adapted to press upon the can-cap, and aconnection for rotating the rod on its axis with the axial rotation ofsaid iron.

8. In a ean-cap-soldering machine, the combination of a can-table havingan annular series of vertically-movable can-rests adapted to alternatelylift and lower the cans, an annular series ot' soldering-irons alinedabove the can-rests,heating-hoods around the soldering-irons, a centralgas-distributing chamber, pipes leading to said chamber to supply` it,and radial gas branches from the chamber to supply the heating-hoods, aconnection between the can-table,soldering-irons, hoods and gas-channelsand means for rotating them in unison abouta common axis.

9. In a can-cap-soldering machine, and in combination with the rotatingcan-table and annular series of soldering-irons, the solderfeed rolls,and the means for actuating them consisting of a pawl and ratchet, apivoted 1ever, a cam-track on the rotating table to vibrate the leverand a connection from the levci to operate the pawl. and the means forcontrolling said feed-roll-actuating mechanism, consisting of a pivoted\lever normally held in contact with the pawl to keep it from engagementwith the ratchet, said lever projecting into the path ot' the cans andadapted by contact therewith to relieve the pawl to permit itsengagement with the lever.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ANTONIO CERR UTI.

Witnesses:

INALTER F. VANE, D. B. RICHARDS.

